Pages

Sunday, June 27, 2010

We love Reiman Gardens, and we visit a lot. This year, their theme is lawn decorations...specifically: gnomes! Now this is something that could be very tacky, but when you see it, they did it so beautifully. It is so full of fun, and whimsy, you just want to take it all home with you and put it in your yard. They had almost 30 gnomes in the gardens, and I think I got almost every one of them with my camera. The very first one we saw was this 'biker' gnome. They all had really cute names, I won't list them all here, but you may be able to find them on the website.

Each gnome was exactly alike in form, but was painted and decorated by different groups, so they each have their own distinct personality. I love this one, he seems to float in this cloud of catmint, which is one of my favorite perennials.

My son found the bell chimes, and was getting his boogie on for our amusement.

This is my favorite space in the whole garden. I don't know what its' real name is, but I call it the agave room. Usually it is filled with huge blue and green agaves and aloes. I never thought a flock of plastic lawn flamingos could be peaceful, but it just works. The blues and purples, mixed with the silver draping; I could just sit here all day and be content.

My dad visited us last week, and he accompanied us on our trip to the gardens. Here, he and my son pose next to the world's largest concrete gnome. There is a larger gnome in I think, Norway, but it is made out of something else.

Each gnome is so individual, we delighted in finding them hiding behind things, on top of walls, around corners. We even got to vote for our favorite at the end.

In the tropical room, they had a huge center display of bottle trees representing different seasons. I understand that bottle trees are quite common in the south, I have only seen one in someone's yard here in Iowa. I can't say that I would want something this big with bottles on it in my yard, but this one is definitely pretty.

This was my favorite gnome. I loved all the blown glass he was wearing and holding. I have never been much of a gnome person, but I might consider getting one after this. I guess you can order replicas of this gnome and paint it yourself if you so desire. This was a wonderful day, getting to spend time with dad and my son, seeing the beautiful flowers and on top of it all, the cute lawn ornaments. What a fun way to spend a summer day!

I missed the blown-glass gnome - he's great! I was fascinated by the bottle trees. Mom figured out the autumn one... by the bottle-leaves it had shed on the ground! The rest of us missed that connection.

I rocked out on the step-chimes, too. Figured out how to play the "grandfather clock" song. I was pretty proud of myself :)

Thanks for stopping by my blog. I love gnomes. The local bot garden here is doing a display of flamingos--but not a HUGE one like you have that gnome. Looks like a lot of fun. Gnomes aren't tacky, they're classy, lol!

hi good day ! nice post you have . about this decoration they are beautiful . this add attraction to our home . it depends only on how you put it or the arrangement in order to fit it in your interiors and theme . like me i have some home and garden decors which i contrast with my garden accessories and garden spinner and they blend perfectly . lovely set up !

Great post.I love your garden.Your garden is fantastic. gnomes are looking fabulous. Specially display of bottle trees are looking Wonderful.Thank you very much for sharing such beautiful photos.Shed Plans

Followers

About Me

Hello, I am a 35-year old Mom from central Iowa. I live with my husband and our 5 kids. We were blessed with a new addition to our family this last winter, and became a family of 7. I am flexitarian, if you will...I try to only eat meat if I know where it came from and under what conditions it was raised. I love to garden, hence the name, I love canning, cooking, preserving of all kinds. I love reading and hanging out with my family, and I love talking seeds and plants with other gardeners.